L.A.'s Best 2012 Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals

BY JAMES FAMERA

By now it's common knowledge that the day after Thanksgiving – commonly known as Black Friday – is the official start to the holiday shopping season. Why it's not something more cheerful like Happy Friday, is anyone's guess. And don't even get me started on Cyber Monday. It's like, c'mon, can you be any more obvious, Internet?! Anywho, here is your guide to the best shopping deals happening on Black Friday and Cyber Monday across Los Angeles.

Target: It seems like this year's trend is for stores to start their Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving. Perhaps Grey Thursday is a more appropriate name? Either way, Target is offering both Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals this year, beginning at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving. Sales include 19-inch flat screen TVs for under $109, Xbox 360s for $199, and a free $40 gift card with the purchase of a 16GB iPod Touch. You can also get scarves, sweater, and jackets for $15 and under. To be the first to know about all the Cyber Monday deals Target has to offer, sign up for email alerts on their website.

7100 Santa Monica Blvd., 90046; 323-603-0004

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Wal-Mart: Beat the Black Friday rush and get all the same deals a day earlier at Wal-Mart. That's right, this year Wal-Mart will be one of several big-box retailers to kick off their Black Friday prices on Thanksgiving. Starting at 8 p.m. Thursday, you can get pullover jackets for under $10, G-Shock watches for $47, and ¼ carat diamond hoop earrings for $38. If you plan on waiting a day, however, you'll have a first crack at Wal-Mart's incredibly low deals on Apple iPads, LCD TVs, and Blu-ray players. Wal-Mart will also be having tons of great deals on TVs, iPods, toys and much more on its website for Cyber Monday.

4101 Crenshaw Blvd., 90008; 323-299-8014

Gap: The Gap decided to change it up a bit this year and call their sale a Bright Friday event. What does it mean? Well, from now until this Saturday, you can save 60% on select items online. We're talking clothes for men, women, toddlers, and infants! Then on (Black) Friday until noon, all Gap locations will be offering sweaters for $19, t-shirts for $10, pajama pants for $15, and tons of other great deals. Visit www.gap.com for a full list of store specials.

Apple: Apple has marked down prices on its iPads, laptops, iPods, and computers on past Black Fridays. And this year the California-based company promised to do the same with a “one-day Apple shopping event.” Although the company has yet to release any info on what products will be discounted, don't expect there to be any discounts on their iPhone 5. Apple has never dropped the price on their smartphones, much to the dismay of its faithful customers. Apple's Black Friday shopping event begins this Friday at midnight on their website.

189 The Grove Dr., 90036; 323-617-9800

Best Buy: Best Buy's doors open at midnight on Friday, meaning you may want to get in line right now to take full advantage of all their great deals. How great are they? How about a 40 inch LCD TVs for $179, laptops for $349.95, and tablet computers for under $180. But wait… there's more! Blu-Rays like The Hunger Games, as well as DVDs for Breaking Bad and The Big Bang Theory, are going for as low as $8. Best Buys also has great prices on all of its electronics for Cyber Monday. Sign up for their email alerts to be one of the first to find out.

7100 Santa Monica Blvd., 90046; 323-603-0004

H&M: The clothing retailer's deals start at midnight on Friday with prices as low as $5! Shoppers can also get pants and jackets for $10, outerwear for $15, as well as dresses and sweaters for $5. The first 100 people in line on Black Friday will also receive free scratch-offs valued up to $300! All you have to do is be there. Check out H&M's website for more of their fantastic Black Friday specials.

8500 Beverly Blvd., 90048; 310-855-1009

Express: You can get all types of great discounts this year on Black Friday and Cyber Monday at Express. Black Friday specials include $30 off all purchases of $75 or more, $50 off purchases of $150, and an amazing $90 off all sales of $250 or more. Cyber Monday shoppers will be happy to know that Express is offering 40% off every single item online, including free shipping. Check out www.express.com for more details.

10800 W. Pico Blvd., 90064; 310-446-4419

Old Navy: Forget everything you've heard about Black Friday specials. Because this year the good folks at Old Navy have decided to host a little something called Cheermageddon, instead. This Friday, beginning at noon, you can get a second item for half off, after you purchase the first item at full price. We're talking jeans, fleece half-zips, even women's boots! Now why can't every Black Friday (Cheermageddon, ahem!) be this easy?

100 N. La Cienega Blvd., 90048; 310-854-0658

Amazon: What's a Cyber Monday (or Black Friday) special without the world's largest online retailer? Of course at Amazon, you don't have to wait in long lines to be included on any of their great shopping deals. You do, however, have to sign up for their free email alerts, which are updated throughout the day. But just in case you were wondering, laptops, desktops, and tablets will be marked down by 20%, with various other computer accessories – like iPad cases, external hard drives, and webcams – being reduced by up to 50%. Sign-up at www.amazon.com today, before it's too late!

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Macy's: Beginning Friday at midnight you can get up to 50% off on women's sportswear, 40% of designer handbags, and over half off on coats at Macy's. Macy's also has shopping specials on clothing for men, appliances, as well as perfumes. Free headphones are also included with the purchase of any fragrance over $75. The store's Black Friday specials last until 1 p.m. on Saturday, so check out www.macys.com for a full list of the deals being offered.